(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Rocking Horse Winner


            Many factors cause the family to be dysfunctional in "The Rocking Horse Winner". The main causes are secrecy and an overwhelming materialism. The secrecy that is pervasive throughout the story stems mainly from a lack of communication between family members. Also an air of anxiousness that surrounds either the mom or Paul and in that sense they seem to be connected. In addition, the lack of discussion of the father and the other children is worth noting. .
             The father is mentioned only three times; once in the beginning saying that he "was always very handsome and expensive in his tastes" (119) followed in the middle with mom bitterly saying how unlucky he is and the last a depiction of him making a whiskey and soda. He does not appear to have a relationship with anyone in the family; it appears as though his marriage and the children are just for show. Out of the entire family the only relationship that is desired is between Paul and his mother for he is always seeking her approval, "Do you think I"m lucky, mother? I knew Malabar, didn't I?" (132). Paul's behavior is strange because even though the children knew that she could not love them, he still sought her approval rather than that of his father's which is what most little boys have a tendency to do. But the portrait that the mother paints for Paul of his father is one of extreme bitterness and misfortune, it appears as though she has completely forgotten that she once "married for love" (118). .
             The only real communication that takes place is between Paul and the gardener, Bassett, and between Paul and his uncle, who seems to serve as more of a father figure to him than his own father does. Paul also views his uncle as lucky because of the ten shilling piece that he gave him that he started winning with. In Paul's eyes if he becomes lucky he might gain the love and approval of his mother. No satisfaction is gained through any of the relationships in the story.


Essays Related to The Rocking Horse Winner


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question